Adaptive quota management system

ABSTRACT

A system for determining a quota comprises an input interface and a processor. The input interface is configured to receiving a current workload. The processor is configured to: determine whether the current workload less than or equal to target workload; and in response to the current workload being less than or equal to target workload: indicate no modification to input values; set output values to input values; and provide the output values.

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/273,503, entitled ADAPTIVE QUOTA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM filedFeb. 12, 2019 which is incorporated herein by reference for allpurposes, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/938,354, entitled ADAPTIVE QUOTA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM filed Mar. 28,2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,248,480, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/634,675, entitled ADAPTIVE QUOTAMANAGEMENT SYSTEM filed Feb. 27, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,959,152, bothof which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Systems for determining a quota include connectivity devices, a network,a service provider, and a quota management system. The processing loadon the service provider and quota management system is driven largely bythe number of authorization requests and responses that must beexchanged between the service provider and the quota management system.Therefore sizing the infrastructure for the service provider and quotamanagement system requires an understanding of what the expected peakrate of requests/responses will be (often called TPS or transactions persecond). The TPS is determined by the number of connectivity devicestimes the average number of activities (sometimes called sessions) perdevice times the average frequency at which each activity or sessionmust reauthorize for a new quota. For instance, in the event that thereis a system with 1 million connectivity devices, and each device isengaged in an average of 3 activities, and the quotas being authorizedrun out or expire in an average of 5 minutes, then the resulting load onthe service provider and quota management system will be 3 million quotarequests/responses every 5 minutes, which translates to 10,000 TPS.

Many of the service provider and quota management system solutionsavailable were designed originally to work with connectivity devicesthat primarily supported voice calling. The usage loads (e.g. averagecalls per day per device) and usage patterns (e.g., peak calls per hourper device) for voice calling across a large set of connectivity devicesis quite predictable to within a few percent. In addition, the quotabeing authorized for voice calls has traditionally been “minutes”, and avoice call would always consume one minute for each minute that the callwas connected, so it was obvious how long a given quota would lastbefore a new authorization request was required (e.g. if 10 minutes wasauthorized, the next request will come after 10 minutes). As a result,all the factors that feed into calculating the peak TPS required fromthe service provider and quota management system can be controlled orpredicted so the necessary infrastructure can be easily allocated tothese systems. In addition, a very simple algorithm for determining howmuch quota to authorize was sufficient to maintain a consistent peakload on these systems (many of these traditional solutions simply had aconfigured quota quantity that was always applied, e.g. “3 minutes”).

With the advent of smart connectivity devices (e.g. the iPhone), veryfast networks (e.g. 4G/LTE), and the myriad of digital servicesavailable (e.g. video, HD video, chat, facebook, twitter, email, webbrowsing, etc.), the usage patterns for connectivity devices have becomeextremely spiky and unpredictable, and the overall volume of usage hasskyrocketed. In addition, the quota authorized for most digital servicesis a volume of usage, not a time period of usage, so it is no longerobvious how long a quota authorized will last and a new authorizationrequest will be required since it depends entirely on how fast theauthorized volume quota is consumed and that depends on many factorssuch as the power of the connectivity device, the speed of the network,the congestion level of the network, the type of activity, etc. Thecombination of this extremely high volume but unpredictable usage andthe complex relationship between a quota volume and the time it willlast before being consumed creates a major threat to the serviceprovider and quota management system since the peak load can no longerbe predicted with any accuracy. In the event that the service providerand quota management system infrastructure are not sized sufficiently tohandle the peak TPS, service interruptions or system failure willresult, causing significant negative business consequences to theservice provider.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a networksystem.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a quotamanagement system.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a quotadeterminer.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a quotadeterminer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of quota periods.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process forproviding a quota amount.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process fordetermining a quota value.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process for aquota modification determiner based on a rate at which quota isconsumed.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process for aquota modification determiner based on a system workload.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process for aquota modification determiner based on a rate at which a balance isbeing impacted as quota is consumed by the activity being authorized.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process for aquota modification determiner based on a rate at which a shared balanceis being impacted as quota is consumed by all the activities beingauthorized against the shared balance.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process for aquota modification determiner based on a balance-threshold distance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as aprocess; an apparatus; a system; a composition of matter; a computerprogram product embodied on a computer readable storage medium; and/or aprocessor, such as a processor configured to execute instructions storedon and/or provided by a memory coupled to the processor. In thisspecification, these implementations, or any other form that theinvention may take, may be referred to as techniques. In general, theorder of the steps of disclosed processes may be altered within thescope of the invention. Unless stated otherwise, a component such as aprocessor or a memory described as being configured to perform a taskmay be implemented as a general component that is temporarily configuredto perform the task at a given time or a specific component that ismanufactured to perform the task. As used herein, the term ‘processor’refers to one or more devices, circuits, and/or processing coresconfigured to process data, such as computer program instructions.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention isprovided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate theprinciples of the invention. The invention is described in connectionwith such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to anyembodiment. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims andthe invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications andequivalents. Numerous specific details are set forth in the followingdescription in order to provide a thorough understanding of theinvention. These details are provided for the purpose of example and theinvention may be practiced according to the claims without some or allof these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technicalmaterial that is known in the technical fields related to the inventionhas not been described in detail so that the invention is notunnecessarily obscured.

A system for determining a quota is disclosed. A system for determininga quota comprises an input interface, a candidate quota determiner, oneor more quota modification determiners, and an output interface. Theinput interface is for receiving a quota request for an activity andreceiving an estimation or an actual measurement of one or moreoperating parameters. A candidate quota determiner is for determining acandidate quota amount based at least in part on candidate quotaparameters. One or more quota modification determiners is/are fordetermining one or more quota modifications based on the estimation orthe actual measurement of the one or more operating parameters. Anoutput interface is for providing a final quota amount based at least inpart on the candidate quota amount and the one or more quotamodifications.

In some embodiments, a communications service provider (e.g. atelecommunications, Internet, mobile service, digital service, orentertainment/media service provider) charges for its services (e.g.,data downloaded, call time, messages sent, amount of media played)against account balances maintained on a quota management system. When aconnectivity device attempts to perform some activity using the service,the service provider makes a request to a quota management system toauthorize that activity. In the event the quota management systemauthorizes the activity, it grants a quota comprising an amount ofservice that may be used and a validity time at which the granted quotaexpires. The quota management system reserves the amount (e.g., cost) ofthe granted quota against the appropriate account balances (e.g.reserving 10 Mb of a user's monthly allowance to grant a 10 Mb quota formobile data usage, or reserving $0.30 of a user's currency balance togrant a 3 minute quota for a phone call that costs $0.10/minute). In theevent the activity is completed, the granted quota is exhausted orexpired, or the service provider determines for any other reason thatsuch action is prudent, the service provider will report back to thequota management system to indicate the portion of the granted quotathat was consumed, and optionally to request authorization of a newquota for continued service for the activity. The quota managementsystem will then release any unused quota from the previous grant,deduct from the appropriate account balances the appropriate amounts forthe quota that was actually consumed, and, if requested, attempt toauthorize and grant a new quota. For a long running activity such aswatching a movie, this reporting and reauthorizing may occur hundreds oreven thousands of times between the service provider and the quotamanagement system for a single activity.

However, due to any number of conflicting factors, it is challenging forthe quota management system to determine the optimal amount and validitytime of each quota granted. For example, the actual rate at which theactivity will consume the granted quota may be highly variable dependingon the specifics of the activity (e.g. web browsing vs. HD video), oreven for the same activity based on network status (e.g. congestion of acell site), specific device behavior (e.g. pausing a movie), or anynumber of unpredictable factors. If the quota granted is too small giventhe actual rate of consumption, or the validity time is too short, itrequires the service provider to report consumption and request newquota too frequently, putting a high and potentially system threateningload onto the service provider and quota management system and/orcausing service interruptions of the activity due to delays in theservice provider receiving new quota. If the quota granted is too largegiven the actual rate of consumption, or the validity time is too long,the balance amount that was reserved stays reserved too long and cannotbe used for other activities by the same device or other devices thatshare the same balance, causing an unnecessary denial of service for theother activities. In addition, the quota management system does not knowhow much of a granted quota has been actually consumed until the serviceprovider reports back, so the amount of a balance reserved for a grantedquota creates an ambiguity in the actual value of that balance until thequota consumption is reported. It is desirable for the quota managementsystem to have an accurate view of the account balances, especially nearthresholds that trigger an action (e.g. sending a text notification whenan account balance has been consumed to a specific point such as 50% or85% of its limit). This ambiguity is quickly compounded in the eventthat a balance is being reserved by many parallel activities for aconnectivity device or set of connectivity devices, degrading theeffectiveness of the action trigger.

In some embodiments, the system for determining a quota comprises acandidate quota determiner to determine a candidate quota based oncandidate quota parameters defined or configured in the system, one ormore quota modification determiners to determine proposed or actualquota modifications based at least in part on the estimation or actualmeasurement of one or more operating parameters related to the system,and optionally a quota assembler to determine the final quota to beauthorized based at least in part on the candidate quota and any or allproposed quota modifications.

In some embodiments, the system for determining a quota comprises acandidate quota determiner, one or more quota modification determinersand a quota assembler, where the outputs of the quota modificationdeterminers are inputs to the quota assembler as proposed quotamodifications and the quota assembler determines the final quota to beauthorized.

In some embodiments, the system for determining a quota comprises acandidate quota determiner and one or more quota modificationdeterminers, where each quota modification determiner applies an actualquota modification to the candidate quota as it is executed and thefinal quota to be authorized is equal to the resulting value of thecandidate quota after all quota modification determiners have beenexecuted.

In some embodiments, the candidate quota parameters defined orconfigured in the system include a candidate quota target value, acandidate quota minimum value, a candidate quota maximum value, or anyand all combinations of these.

In some embodiments, the candidate quota parameters defined orconfigured in the system are different for different types of activity(e.g. video, high definition video, voice call, email, texting, andmusic download, etc.)

In some embodiments, the candidate quota parameters defined orconfigured in the system are different depending on the commercial offerthe customer has purchased.

In some embodiments, the candidate quota determined by the candidatequota determiner includes a target value, a minimum value, a maximumvalue, or any and all combinations of these.

In some embodiments, a candidate quota, proposed or actual quotamodifications and/or final quota comprise an amount of quota to beauthorized and a validity time for when the quota expires.

In some embodiments, a proposed or actual quota modification comprises adelta amount and/or scaling factor to be applied to the candidate quota.

In some embodiments, the ideal values for an operating parameter aredefined or configured as a target value, a minimum value, a maximumvalue, or any and all combinations of these.

In some embodiments, a quota modification determiner determines proposedor actual quota modifications based at least in part on the estimationor actual measurement of one or more operating parameters (OP) relatedto the system.

In some embodiments, a quota modification determiner determines proposedor actual quota modifications based at least in part on OP and thecandidate quota (CQ).

In some embodiments, a quota modification determiner determines proposedor actual quota modifications based at least in part on OP and idealvalues (IV) for one or more operating parameters defined or configuredin the system.

In some embodiments, a quota modification determiner determines proposedor actual quota modifications based at least in part on OP, IV, and alook-up table (LT) or similar data structure that provides the desiredquota modifications based on the operating parameter values estimated oractually measured, the ideal values of the operating parameters definedor configured in the system, the difference between the precedingvalues, or any and all combinations of these.

In some embodiments, a quota modification determiner determines proposedor actual quota modifications based at least in part OP, IV and acontinuous feedback equation (FE) (e.g. an exponential response curve ora geometric decay curve) that provides the desired quota modificationsbased on the operating parameter values estimated or actually measured,the ideal values of the operating parameters defined or configured inthe system, the difference between the preceding values, or any and allcombinations of these.

In various embodiments, a quota modification determiner determines aquota modification based at least in part on: OP, IV, LT, CQ, FE, or anycombination or permutation of the above (e.g., OP+IV, OP+LT, OP+CQ,OP+FE, IV+LT, IV+CQ, IV+FE, LT+CQ, LT+FE, CQ+FE, OP+IV+LT, OP+IV+CQ,OP+IV+FE, OP+LT+CQ, OP+LT+FE, OP+CQ+FE, IV+LT+CQ, IV+LT+FE, LT+CQ+FE,OP+IV+LT+CQ, OP+IV+LT+FE, or any other permutation or combination,etc.), or any other appropriate manner of determining a quotamodification.

In some embodiments, a quota modification determiner determines proposedor actual quota modifications based at least in part on the estimationor actual measurement of the rate quota (QR) (e.g., the operatingparameter of a quota rate) is being consumed by the activity beingauthorized.

In some embodiments, a quota modification determiner determines proposedor actual quota modifications based at least in part on the estimationor actual measurement of the frequency of reauthorization requests (RR)(e.g., the operating parameter of a frequency of reauthorizationrequests), either for the activity being authorized, or by a subset ofor all activities being authorized by the system, or a combination ofboth.

In some embodiments, a quota modification determiner determines proposedor actual quota modifications based at least in part on the estimationor actual measurement of the workload (WL) (e.g., the operatingparameter of a workload) on the system, the workload on surroundingsystems, or a combination of both.

In some embodiments, the workload on the system and/or surroundingsystems is determined from one or more of the following workloadparameters: the CPU utilization, the network utilization, the storagesystem utilization, the memory utilization, the rate of requests to thesystem, the latency of the system to respond to requests, anycombination of the preceding, or any other method commonly associatedwith determining the workload of a system.

In some embodiments, a quota modification determiner determines proposedor actual quota modifications based at least in part on the estimationor actual measurement of the rate at which a balance is being consumed(BR) (e.g., the operating parameter of a balance consumption rate),either by the activity being authorized, by a subset of or allactivities that are consuming the balance (e.g., the balance associatedwith the quota request), or a combination of both.

In some embodiments, a quota modification determiner determines proposedor actual quota modifications based at least in part on the estimationor actual measurement of the number of activities or connectivitydevices that are currently and/or could theoretically begin consuming abalance (BS) (e.g., the operating parameter of a number of balanceconsumers).

In some embodiments, a quota modification determiner determines proposedor actual quota modifications based at least in part on the estimationor actual measurement of the distance between a current balance valueand a defined or configured threshold balance value for the balance (BT)(e.g., the operating parameter of a balance-threshold distance).

In various embodiments, the operating parameters QR, RR, WL, BR, BS, andBT are used to determine a quota modification in any permutation orcombination (e.g., any pair, any 3, any 4, any 5, or all 6 of theoperating parameters), or any other appropriate operating parameter(s)permutations or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the adaptive quota management system comprises aset of functional systems used in the determination of a quota amount toassign to the device. The adaptive quota management system comprises acandidate quota determiner for computing a candidate quota value. Insome embodiments, the candidate quota determiner uses a historical quotaconsumption velocity (e.g., 48 seconds of activity/min, 2.22 MB/min,etc.) to determine a quota amount corresponding to a desired quotavalidity time (QVT)—for example, the maximum amount of time until theservice provider needs to report the used portion of the quota. In someembodiments, the candidate quota determiner adjusts the determined quotaamount above a minimum quota amount and below a maximum quota amount. Invarious embodiments, in the event the historical quota consumptionvelocity is not available, the candidate quota value is determined to bea minimum value, a value corresponding to a minimum time, a defaultvalue, a maximum value, or any other appropriate value.

In some embodiments, a system for determining a quota comprisesconnectivity devices, a network, a service provider, and a quotamanagement system. The processing load on the service provider and quotamanagement system is driven largely by the number of authorizationrequests and responses that must be exchanged between the serviceprovider and the quota management system. Therefore sizing theinfrastructure for the service provider and quota management systemrequires an understanding of what the expected peak rate ofrequests/responses will be (often called TPS or transactions persecond). The TPS is determined by the number of connectivity devicestimes the average number of activities (sometimes called sessions) perdevice times the average frequency at which each activity or sessionmust reauthorize for a new quota. For instance, in the event that thereis a system with 1 million connectivity devices, and each device isengaged in an average of 3 activities, and the quotas being authorizedrun out or expire in an average of 5 minutes, then the resulting load onthe service provider and quota management system will be 3 million quotarequests/responses every 5 minutes, which translates to 10,000 TPS.

In some embodiments, many of the service provider and quota managementsystem solutions available where designed originally to work withconnectivity devices that primarily supported voice calling. The usageloads (e.g. avg. calls per day per device) and usage patterns (e.g. peakcalls per hour per device) for voice calling across a large set ofconnectivity devices is quite predictable to within a few percent. Inaddition, the quota being authorized for voice calls has traditionallybeen “minutes”, and a voice call would always consume one minute foreach minute that the call was connected, so it was obvious how long agiven quota would last before a new authorization request was required(e.g. if 10 minutes was authorized, the next request will come after 10minutes). As a result, all the factors that feed into calculating thepeak TPS required from the service provider and quota management systemcan be controlled or predicted so the necessary infrastructure can beeasily allocated to these systems. In addition, a very simple algorithmfor determining how much quota to authorize was sufficient to maintain aconsistent peak load on these systems (many of these traditionalsolutions simply had a configured quota quantity that was alwaysapplied, e.g. “3 minutes”).

In some embodiments, with the advent of smart connectivity devices (e.g.the iPhone), very fast networks (e.g. 4G/LTE), and the myriad of digitalservices available (e.g. video, HD video, chat, facebook, twitter,email, web browsing, etc.), the usage patterns for connectivity deviceshave become extremely spiky and unpredictable, and the overall volume ofusage has skyrocketed. In addition, the quota authorized for mostdigital services is a volume of usage, not a time period of usage, so itis no longer obvious how long a quota authorized will last and a newauthorization request will be required since it depends entirely on howfast the authorized volume is consumed and that depends on many factorssuch as the power of the connectivity device, the speed of the network,the congestion level of the network, the type of activity, etc. Thecombination of this extremely high volume but unpredictable usage andthe complex relationship between a quota volume and the time it willlast before being consumed creates a major threat to the serviceprovider and quota management system since the peak load can no longerbe predicted with any accuracy. In the event that the service providerand quota management system infrastructure are not sized sufficiently tohandle the peak TPS, service interruptions or system failure willresult, causing significant negative business consequences to theservice provider.

In some embodiments, some of the traditional systems have expanded theirquota calculation algorithms to take certain parameters into account.For instance, the expected rate of consumption for quota is related tothe type of activity being performed. HD video will consume quota muchfaster than email under typical conditions, so the quota managementsystem may allow a configuration to be specified that provides a quotavolume of 30 Mb for an HD video activity but only provides a quotavolume of 1 Mb for an email activity. This is an improvement over asingle parameter for all circumstances, but it is still making verygeneralized assumptions about how fast quota will be consumed by eachactivity. As such, when operating conditions deviate from typical, thequota volume being authorized will not be optimal, the TPS load on theservice provider and quota management system may exceed what waspredicted, and service interruption or system failure may result.

In some embodiments, to truly manage the peak TPS load properly, asystem is required that more accurately predicts or measures theoperating parameters that feed into creating the TPS load. Such a systemcan then adjust the quota volume being authorized to manage the peak TPSload and avoid any service interruption or system failure. However, eachadjustment to the quota volume authorized has business implications thatmay be important to take into account. For instance, in the event thatthere are many connectivity devices sharing a single account balance(e.g. a family plan), granting a very large quota to one connectivitydevice may reduce the expected TPS load, but it also unfairly allocatestoo much of the shared balance to that one connectivity device andpotentially causes service to be unnecessarily denied to the otherconnectivity devices in the shared plan. Thus, the truly optimal quotavolume to allocate each time quota is requested may require the analysisof one or more operating parameters, each providing potentialadjustments to the quota volume to optimize that parameter.

An adaptive quota management system is disclosed. In some embodiments,the adaptive quota management system determines a quota amount andvalidity time for a device accessing a service provider to perform aparticular activity. In some embodiments, the adaptive quota managementsystem comprises part of a quota management system for determiningwhether the device is authorized to perform that activity. In someembodiments, authorization comprises the availability of accountbalance(s) against which the activity may be charged. In the eventactivity is authorized, quota is granted, and a corresponding amount ofaccount balance(s) is reserved toward the anticipated quota use. In someembodiments, quota comprises an amount of data, an amount of time, orany other appropriate amount for that activity. In some embodiments,quota comprises a validity time at which the quota expires. In the eventthat the quota amount is exhausted, the quota expires, or for any otherappropriate reason, the service provider must return the quota to thequota management system and report the amount used. The adaptive quotamanagement system uses historical and current system information toadaptively determine an appropriate quota amount and validity time. Invarious embodiments, until the service provider has released a quota andreported the amount used, the quota management system is uncertain ofthe amount being used from that quota, the applicable charges for thatusage, the account balance resulting from those charges, or any otherappropriate system parameters. In various embodiments, in the event theassigned quota amount or validity time is too large, the quotamanagement system risks presenting an inaccurate account balance to theuser, reserving excessive account balance that may prevent granting ofquota for other activities, and/or passing a threshold by an excessiveamount, or any other appropriate consequence. In some embodiments,except for credit limit (e.g., out of balance), thresholds are “soft” inthat in the event the thresholds are crossed it is desirable or requiredto detect that crossing as soon as possible (e.g., in some cases thereis a requirement to provide an indication of passing a threshold—forexample, a percentage of balance used (e.g., 50%, 80%, 90%, etc.)). Invarious embodiments, a threshold comprises a point where an account isout of balance, where an account changes its quota management policy,where an account is required to provide a warning, or where any otherappropriate action needs to be taken. In some embodiments, usage ishalted at a threshold—for example, a credit limit. In some embodiments,usage is not halted. In some embodiments, in the event the assignedquota amount or validity time is too small, the service provider mayreport usage and re-authorize quota too frequently.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a networksystem. In the example shown, multiple connectivity devices (e.g.,connectivity device 102, connectivity device 104, etc.) communicate withnetwork 100. In some embodiments, the multiple connectivity devices(e.g., connectivity device 102, connectivity device 104, etc.) connectto network 100 via a wireless communication station (e.g., a cellularbase station, a radio tower, etc.). In various embodiments, network 100comprises one or more of the following: a cellular network, a local areanetwork, a wide area network, a wired network, a wireless network, theInternet, an intranet, a storage area network, or any other appropriatecommunication network. In various embodiments, each of the multipleconnectivity devices comprise one of the following: a mobile phone, asmartphone, a satellite phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, apersonal computer, a set-top box, or any other appropriate connectivitydevice. In various embodiments, 2, 15, 93, 127, 1381, or any otherappropriate number of connectivity devices are connected to network 100.Service provider 106 comprises a system for providing service toconnectivity devices (e.g., connectivity device 102 and connectivitydevice 104).

In some embodiments, service provider 106 comprises a system forconnecting connectivity devices to a second network (e.g., network 110).In various embodiments, network 110 comprises one or more of thefollowing: a cellular network, a local area network, a wide areanetwork, a wired network, a wireless network, the Internet, an intranet,a storage area network, or any other appropriate communication network.In some embodiments, service provider 106 comprises a system forconnecting connectivity devices to a service supplier 112. In variousembodiments, service supplier 112 supplies email, chat, voicecommunications, web content, video, business apps, social networkingapps, or any other appropriate service. In various embodiments, serviceprovider 106 comprises a system for connecting connectivity devices toany number of other networks 110 and service suppliers 112. Quotamanagement system 108 comprises a system for managing quotas forconnectivity devices. In some embodiments, quota management system 108comprises a system for maintaining an account balance or balances for aconnectivity device. In some embodiments, an account balance or balancesmaintained by quota management system 108 is associated with more thanone connectivity device (e.g., as part of a family account, a businessaccount, etc.). In various embodiments, quota management system 108comprises a system for responding to a connection or service request(e.g., a connection or service request from a connectivity device), forplacing reservations on an account balance, for allocating quota to aconnectivity device, for deducting from an account balance, fordetermining a quota size, or for any other appropriate purpose. In someembodiments, when a connectivity device attempts to make a connection orreceive a service, it contacts service provider 106 to request theconnection or service. Service provider 106 contacts quota managementsystem 108 to determine whether the connectivity device can be allowedto receive the requested service. In the event the connectivity deviceis allowed to receive the requested service, quota management system 108determines a quota value for the connectivity device. In someembodiments, a quota value comprises a usage amount for the connectivitydevice before the service provider 106 is required to check in withquota management system 108 again. In some embodiments, quota managementsystem 108 additionally places a reservation on an associated accountbalance or balances maintained by quota management system 108 (e.g.,reserving the balance amount, or cost, represented by the quota).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a quotamanagement system. In some embodiments, quota management system 200comprises quota management system 108 of FIG. 1. In the example shown,quota management system 200 comprises interface 202. Interface 202comprises an interface for communicating with service provider 106. Invarious embodiments, interface 202 comprises an interface for receivinga request for a quota, for receiving an update on quota used, forproviding a quota value, requesting an account balance, for requestingaccount reservation information, for requesting a rate of change for abalance, for updating an account balance, for making an account balancereservation, or for any other appropriate communication. Quotadeterminer 204 comprises a quota determiner for determining a quotavalue. In various embodiments, quota management system 200 additionallycomprises an account verifier, an account balance database, an accountbalance reserver, a usage rater, an account balance charger, or anyother appropriate systems. In various embodiments, quota managementsystem 200 comprises a hardware processor, a computer processor, amemory, a database, or any other appropriate implementation hardware.

In some embodiments, interface 202 is used for interacting with theservice provider to request quota and report usage and quota managementsystem 200 to grant quota. In various embodiments, quota managementsystem 200 computes and stores (e.g., in an internal database—not shownin FIG. 2) balance information, historical usage information, velocityinformation, or any other appropriate information.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a quotadeterminer. In some embodiments, quota determiner 300 comprises quotadeterminer 204 of FIG. 2. In the example shown, quota determiner 300comprises candidate quota determiner 302. Candidate quota determiner 302determines a candidate quota value and/or a candidate validity time. Insome embodiments, a candidate quota value is determined using apredetermined minimum quota value, target quota value, and maximumvalue. In some embodiments, a candidate quota value is determined usinghistorical consumption velocity information. In some embodiments, acandidate quota determiner 302 is implemented using a processor.Candidate quota determiner 302 passes its values to one or more quotamodification determiners (e.g., quota modification determiner 304, quotamodification determiner 306, quota modification determiner 312, etc.).Each quota modification determiner modifies the outputs of the candidatequota determiner (e.g., a candidate quota value, a validity time, etc.)and passes modified values to final quota assembler 308. Final quotaassembler 308 comprises a system for determining a final quota value. Insome embodiments, final quota assembler 308 limits the final quota valuedetermined by candidate quota determiner 302 using quota limitsdetermined by one or more of the quota modification determiners. In someembodiments, final quota assembler 308 adopts a scaled quota valuedetermined by a quota modification determiner. In various embodiments,final quota assembler 308 determines a final quota value and/or a finalvalidity time by one of the following: an average of the quotamodification output values, a median of the quota modification outputvalues, a minimum of the quota modification output values, a maximum ofthe quota modification output values, selecting one of the quotamodification output values, or any other appropriate determination of afinal quota value. In some embodiments, quota assembler 308 isimplemented using a processor. In various embodiments, candidate quotadeterminer 302, the one or more quota modification determiners, andfinal quota assembler 308 are implemented on separate processors,combined on a single processor, or combined on any appropriate number ofprocessors in any appropriate way.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a quotadeterminer. In some embodiments, quota determiner 350 comprises quotadeterminer 204 of FIG. 2. In the example shown, quota determiner 350comprises candidate quota determiner 352. Candidate quota determiner 352determines a candidate quota value and/or a candidate validity time. Insome embodiments, a candidate quota value is determined using apredetermined minimum quota value, target quota value, and maximumvalue. In some embodiments, a candidate quota value is determined usinghistorical consumption velocity information. In some embodiments, acandidate quota determiner 352 is implemented using a processor.Candidate quota determiner 352 passes its values to a quota modificationdeterminers (e.g., quota modification determiner 354). In someembodiments, candidate quota determiner 352 passes its values to otherquota modification determiners indirectly (e.g., as pass throughvalues—for example, quota modification determiner 356, quotamodification determiner 362, etc.). Each quota modification determinermodifies the outputs of the quota determiner preceding it (e.g., acandidate quota determiner or a quota modification determiner) andproduces a new set of outputs (e.g., a quota value, a validity time,etc.) that are passed to a next quota modification determiner or outputas final quota values from the quota determiner. The final quota valuesare the candidate quota values as scaled and/or limited serially by theone or more quota modification determiners. In various embodiments,candidate quota determiner 352 and the one or more quota modificationdeterminers are implemented on separate processors, combined on a singleprocessor, or combined on any appropriate number of processors in anyappropriate way.

In some embodiments, quota determiner 300 implements a candidate quotadeterminer and a quota modification determiner based on operatingparameters. The candidate quota determiner determines minimum, target,and maximum quota amounts from configuration parameters defined orconfigured in the quota management system. In some embodiments thecandidate quota determiner also specifies a minimum, target, and maximumquota validity time for the candidate quota. The tentative quota amountis set to the target candidate quota amount and the tentative quotavalidity time is set to the target quota validity time. In someembodiments, the candidate quota determiner then passes the candidatequota amounts and validity times and the tentative quota amount andvalidity time to the final quota assembler. The candidate quotaassembler passes the candidate quota amounts and validity times and thetentative quota amount and tentative quota validity time to one or morequota modification determiners. The quota modification determinerevaluates (either through measurement or estimation) one or moreoperating parameters and based on the value of these operatingparameters returns to the quota assembler a proposed adjustment to thetentative quota amount and tentative validity time upward or downward.The candidate quota amounts and validity times and the tentative quotaamount and validity time are also passed to a second quota modificationdeterminer if it is present. The second quota modification determinerfollows the same process as the first quota modification determiner, asdo any third or subsequent quota modification determiners. Once the lastquota modification determiner has returned a proposed adjustment to thetentative quota amount and validity time to the final quota assembler,the final quota assembler evaluates all the proposed adjustments andcalculates and applies a final adjustment to the tentative quota amountand validity time that moves the values upward or downward, but not to avalue below the candidate minimum or above the candidate maximum values.The tentative quota amount and validity time are then considered finaland those values are authorized and passed from the final quotaassembler to the output interface. The values are then returned to theservice provider by the output interface.

In some embodiments, candidate quota determiner determines thecandidate/initial quota amount and validity time based on configuredvalues. Let's assume the CQD sets the following values: a) Candidateminimum quota amount=1 Mb, b) Candidate target quota amount=5 Mb, c)Candidate maximum quota amount=20 Mb, and d) Candidate target quotavalidity time=60 seconds. CQD then passes the candidate quota values tothe final quota assembler. The FQA passes the candidate quota values toeach QMD that is present, in any order, and receives back from each QMDsuggested modifications to the candidate quota values. The QRQMD ispresent and based on configuration settings previously described, theQRQMD determines the following values: 1) QR minimum quota lifetime=10seconds, 2) QR target quota lifetime=30 seconds, and 3) QR maximum quotalifetime=900 seconds. Using the methods previously described, in thisexample the QRQMD determines that the candidate target quota amount of 5Mb will be consumed in 10 seconds. Since the QR target quota lifetime is30 seconds, the QRQMD sets the suggested quota amount to 15 Mb and thesuggested quota validity time to 30 seconds. The QRQMD then passes thesesuggested values back to the FQA. In this example the workload QMD ispresent. Assuming a configured ideal target workload of 60, actualworkload value of 80, and a response strength setting of 3, the WLQMDapplies the equation previously explained and determines the quotashould be scaled by a factor of 1.8. The WLQMD then multiplies thecandidate target quota amount by 1.8 to get a suggested quota amount of9 Mb. It also multiplies the candidate target quota validity time by 1.8to get a suggested quota validity time of 108 seconds. The WLQMD thenpasses the suggested quota values to back to the FQA. In this examplethe balance threshold QMD is present. The BTQMD executes as previouslydescribed. Let's assume the BTQMD determines, based on the TBVcalculated, that a balance threshold will be reached in 60 seconds.Furthermore, let's assume the BTQMD determines, based on the ABVcalculated, that the current activity will consume 30 Mb of quota inthose same 60 seconds. Assuming a decay strength of 2, the BTQMDdetermines that it should limit the suggested quota amount to no morethan 15 Mb and limit the suggested quota validity time to no more than30 seconds. Since the candidate target quota amount is 5 Mb, alreadysmaller than the suggested limit of 15 Mb, the BTQMD sets the suggestedquota amount to 5 Mb. The BTQMD also sets the suggested quota validitytime to 30 seconds as calculated above. The BTQMD then passes thesuggested quota values back to the FQA. The FQA has the candidate quotavalues and receives all the suggested quota modifications from the QMDs(e.g., A) 5 Mb & 60 seconds from CQD, b) 15 Mb & 30 seconds from QRQMD,c) 9 Mb & 108 seconds from WLQMD, d) 5 Mb & 30 seconds from BTQMD). TheFQA can determine that quota is being consumed by this activity muchfaster than anticipated because the QRQMD increased the suggested quotaamount but shortened the suggested quota validity time. The FQA candetermine that the workload is above target because the WLQMD increasedboth the suggested quota amount and suggested validity time. The FQA candetermine there is a threshold approaching because the BTQMD shortenedthe suggested validity time to 30 seconds. Evaluating all these factors,the FQA determines the correct quota amount is 10 Mb and the correctvalidity time is 20 seconds. The FQA passes these values to the outputinterface.

In some embodiments, quota determiner 350 implements a candidate quotadeterminer and a quota modification determiner based on operatingparameters. The candidate quota determiner determines minimum, target,and maximum quota amounts from configuration parameters defined orconfigured in the quota management system. In some embodiments, thecandidate quota determiner also specifies a minimum, target, and maximumquota validity time for the candidate quota. The tentative quota amountis set to the target candidate quota amount and the tentative quotavalidity time is set to the target quota validity time. The candidatequota determiner then passes the candidate quota amounts and validitytimes and the tentative quota amount and validity time to the first ofone or more quota modification determiners. The quota modificationdeterminer evaluates (either through measurement or estimation) one ormore operating parameters and based on the value of these operatingparameters adjusts the tentative quota amount and tentative validitytime upward or downward, but not to a value below the candidate minimumor above the candidate maximum. The quota modification determiner thenpasses the candidate quota amounts and validity times and the tentativequota amount and validity time to a second quota modification determinerif it is present. The second quota modification determiner follows thesame process as the first quota modification determiner, as do any thirdor subsequent quota modification determiners. Once the last quotamodification determiner has adjusted the tentative quota amount andvalidity time, the tentative quota amount and validity time areconsidered final and those values are authorized and returned to theservice provider via the output interface.

In some embodiments, quota determiner 350 implements a candidate quotadeterminer and a quota modification determiner based on operatingparameters and ideal values. The candidate quota determiner determinesminimum, target, and maximum quota amounts from configuration parametersdefined or configured in the quota management system. In someembodiments, the candidate quota determiner also specifies a minimum,target, and maximum quota validity time for the candidate quota. Thetentative quota amount is set to the target candidate quota amount andthe tentative quota validity time is set to the target quota validitytime. The candidate quota determiner then passes the candidate quotaamounts and validity times and the tentative quota amount and validitytime to the first of one or more quota modification determiners. Thequota modification determiner compares the values of one or moreoperating parameters (as determined either by measurement or estimation)to ideal values for these operating parameters that are defined orconfigured in the system. Based on the difference between the values ofthese operating parameters and their ideal values, the quotamodification determiner adjusts the tentative quota amount and tentativevalidity time upward or downward in an attempt to cause the operatingparameter values to subsequently change toward their ideal values, butnot to a value below the candidate minimum or above the candidatemaximum. In some embodiments, the ideal value for an operating parametercomprises one or more of the following: a minimum ideal value, a targetideal value, a maximum ideal value, or any combination thereof. Thequota modification determiner adjusts the tentative quota amount andvalidity time to attempt to subsequently move the value of the operatingparameter to match the target ideal value, but also adjusts the targetquota amount and validity time to ensure the value of the operatingparameter does not fall below the ideal minimum value or above the idealmaximum value. The quota modification determiner then passes thecandidate quota amounts and validity times and the tentative quotaamount and validity time to a second quota modification determiner if itis present. The second quota modification determiner follows the sameprocess as the first quota modification determiner, as do any third orsubsequent quota modification determiners. Once the last quotamodification determiner has adjusted the tentative quota amount andvalidity time, the tentative quota amount and validity time areconsidered final and those values are authorized and returned to theservice provider via the output interface. In some embodiments, quotadeterminer 300 implements a candidate quota determiner and a quotamodification determiner based on operating parameters and ideal valuessimilar to above, but instead of serially processing the quota valuesquota determiner 300 includes a final quota assembler that determines afinal quota value based on the one or more modified values produced byone or more quota modification determiners after receiving the candidatequota values.

In some embodiments, quota determiner 350 implements a candidate quotadeterminer and a quota modification determiner based on operatingparameters, ideal values, and a lookup table. The candidate quotadeterminer determines minimum, target, and maximum quota amounts fromconfiguration parameters defined or configured in the quota managementsystem. In some embodiments, the candidate quota determiner alsospecifies a minimum, target, and maximum quota validity time for thecandidate quota. The tentative quota amount is set to the targetcandidate quota amount and the tentative quota validity time is set tothe target quota validity time. The candidate quota determiner thenpasses the candidate quota amounts and validity times and the tentativequota amount and validity time to the first of one or more quotamodification determiners. The quota modification determiner compares thevalues of one or more operating parameters (as determined either bymeasurement or estimation) to ideal values for these operatingparameters that are defined or configured in the system. Based on theset of operating parameter values and their ideal values, on thedifference between the values of these operating parameters and theirideal values, or any combination thereof, the quota modificationdeterminer indexes into a lookup table and locates the entry in thelookup table that is most relevant to the situation. The entry in thelookup table contains either new values for the tentative quota amountand validity time, or an adjustment to be made to the existing values ofthe tentative quota amount and validity time. The quota modificationdeterminer then sets or adjusts the tentative quota amount and tentativevalidity time upward or downward based on the entry in the lookup tablein an attempt to cause the operating parameter values to subsequentlychange toward their ideal values, but not to a value below the candidateminimum or above the candidate maximum. The quota modificationdeterminer then passes the candidate quota amounts and validity timesand the tentative quota amount and validity time to a second quotamodification determiner if it is present. The second quota modificationdeterminer follows the same process as the first quota modificationdeterminer, as do any third or subsequent quota modificationdeterminers. Once the last quota modification determiner has adjustedthe tentative quota amount and validity time, the tentative quota amountand validity time are considered final and those values are authorizedand returned to the service provider via the output interface. In someembodiments, quota determiner 300 implements a candidate quotadeterminer and a quota modification determiner based on operatingparameters, ideal values, and a lookup table similar to above, butinstead of serially processing the quota values quota determiner 300includes a final quota assembler that determines a final quota valuebased on the one or modified values produced by one or more quotamodification determiners after receiving the candidate quota values.

In some embodiments, quota determiner 350 implements a candidate quotadeterminer and a quota modification determiner (QMD) based on operatingparameters, ideal values, and a feedback equation. The candidate quotadeterminer determines minimum, target, and maximum quota amounts fromconfiguration parameters defined or configured in the quota managementsystem. In some embodiments, the candidate quota determiner alsospecifies a minimum, target, and maximum quota validity time for thecandidate quota. The tentative quota amount is set to the targetcandidate quota amount and the tentative quota validity time is set tothe target quota validity time. The candidate quota determiner thenpasses the candidate quota amounts and validity times and the tentativequota amount and validity time to the first of one or more quotamodification determiners. The quota modification determiner compares thevalues of one or more operating parameters (as determined either bymeasurement or estimation) to ideal values for these operatingparameters that are defined or configured in the system. The differencesbetween the values of these operating parameters and their ideal valuesare used as input to a feedback equation (e.g. an exponential responsecurve equation or a geometric decay curve equation) and the result ofthe feedback equation is an adjustment to the tentative quota amount andvalidity time. The quota modification determiner then adjusts thetentative quota amount and tentative validity time upward or downwardbased on the based on the result of the feedback equation in an attemptto cause the operating parameter values to subsequently change towardtheir ideal values, but not to a value below the candidate minimum orabove the candidate maximum. The quota modification determiner thenpasses the candidate quota amounts and validity times and the tentativequota amount and validity time to a second quota modification determinerif it is present. The second quota modification determiner follows thesame process as the first quota modification determiner, as do any thirdor subsequent quota modification determiners. Once the last quotamodification determiner has adjusted the tentative quota amount andvalidity time, the tentative quota amount and validity time areconsidered final and those values are authorized and returned to theservice provider via the output interface. In some embodiments, quotadeterminer 300 implements a candidate quota determiner and a quotamodification determiner based on operating parameters, ideal values, anda feedback equation similar to above, but instead of serially processingthe quota values quota determiner 300 includes a final quota assemblerthat determines a final quota value based on the one or modified valuesproduced by one or more quota modification determiners after receivingthe candidate quota values.

In some embodiments, an example serial workflow for quota determinationis disclosed. In this example, a candidate quota determiner determinesthe candidate quota amount and validity time based on configured values.In this example, the candidate quota determiner (CQD) sets the followingvalues:

Candidate minimum quota amount=1 Mb

Candidate target quota amount=5 Mb

Candidate maximum quota amount=20 Mb

Candidate target quota validity time=60 seconds

CQD then sets the tentative quota amount and tentative quota validitytime to the candidate target values (5 Mb and 60 seconds). CQD thenpasses the candidate and tentative quota values to the first quotamodification determiner. In the serial workflow model, it is importantthat quota modification determiners are executed in the correct order(e.g., intended goal QMDs, quota-increasing QMDs, and quota-decreasingQMDs. The first QMD that is executed is the quota rate QMD, since thatQMD effectively adjusts the tentative quota to match the “intended goal”of the candidate quota values based on how quickly the activity isactually consuming quota, and thus may adjust the quota amount upward ordownward. Next, the QMDs that are designed to increase the quota amount(e.g., workload QMD, etc.) are run, then finally the QMDs that aredesigned to decrease the quota amount (e.g., balance accuracy QMD,balance sharing QMD, balance threshold QMD, etc.) are run. This orderingallows the quota decreasing QMDs to still reduce the quota amount downto the candidate minimum quota amount where utmost accuracy is required.Running the quota-increasing QMDs after the quota-decreasing QMDs arealready finished may result in a loss of accuracy due to the quotaamount being increased as the last step to an amount above the candidateminimum quota amount. In one example, the QRQMD is present and isconfigured to be executed first. In the example, based on configurationsettings described below, the QRQMD determines the following values:

a. QR minimum quota lifetime=10 seconds

b. QR target quota lifetime=30 seconds

c. QR maximum quota lifetime=900 seconds

Using the methods described below, in this example the QRQMD determinesthat the current input quota amount of 5 Mb will likely be consumed in10 seconds. Since the QR target quota lifetime is 30 seconds, the QRQMDsets the tentative quota amount to 15 Mb and the tentative quotavalidity time to 30 seconds. The QRQMD then passes the candidate andmodified tentative quota values to the next QMD in the chain. In thisexample, the workload QMD is present and configured to run next.Assuming a configured ideal target workload of 60, actual workload valueof 80, and a response strength setting of 3, the workload QMD (WLQMD)applies the logic described below and determines the quota should bescaled by a factor of 1.8. The WLQMD then tries to multiple the inputquota amount of 15 Mb by the scale factor of 1.8, but the result exceedsthe candidate maximum quota amount of 20 Mb. As a result, the WLQMD setsthe tentative quota amount to 20 Mb. Because the input quota amount waseffectively scaled by a factor of 1.33, the WLQMD then scales the inputquota validity time equally to a value of 40 seconds. The WLQMD thenpasses the candidate and modified tentative quota values to the next QMDin the chain. In this example, the balance threshold QMD (BTQMD) ispresent and configured to run next. The BTQMD determines based on thetotal balance velocity (TBV) calculated (as described in detail below),that a balance threshold will be reached in 60 seconds. Furthermore, inthis example the BTQMD determines, based on the activity balancevelocity (ABV) calculated, that the current activity will consume 30 Mbof quota in those same 60 seconds. Applying a configured decay strengthof 2, the BTQMD determines that the modified tentative quota amountshould be 15 Mb and the modified tentative quota validity time should be30 seconds. Since these values are between the associated minimum andmaximum values, the BTQMD sets the tentative quota values accordingly.The BTQMD then passes the candidate and modified tentative quota valuesto the next QMD in the chain. Assuming there are no more QMDs configuredin the chain, the candidate and modified tentative quota values arepassed to the output interface. The output interface declares themodified tentative quota values to be final, completes balancereservations and other tasks associated with finalizing the quotaauthorized, and returns these values to the service provider.

In some embodiments, an example parallel workflow for quotadetermination is disclosed. In this example, a candidate or initialquota determiner determines the candidate or initial quota amount andvalidity time based on configured values as previously described. Thecandidate quota determiner (CQD) sets the following values:

Candidate minimum quota amount=1 Mb

Candidate target quota amount=5 Mb

Candidate maximum quota amount=20 Mb

Candidate target quota validity time=60 seconds

CQD then passes the candidate quota values to the final quota assembler(FQA). The candidate quota values are passed to each QMD that ispresent, in any order, and the FQA receives back from each QMDmodifications to the candidate quota values. In this example, the QRQMDis present. Based on configuration settings, the QRQMD determines thefollowing:

QR minimum quota lifetime=10 seconds

QR target quota lifetime=30 seconds

QR maximum quota lifetime=900 seconds

The QRQMD determines that the candidate target quota amount of 5 Mb willlikely be consumed in 10 seconds. Since the QR target quota lifetime is30 seconds, the QRQMD sets the modified quota amount to 15 Mb and themodified quota validity time to 30 seconds. The QRQMD then passes thesemodified values back to the FQA. In this example, the workload QMD(WLQMD) is present. Assuming a configured ideal target workload of 60,actual workload value of 80, and a response strength setting of 3, theWLQMD applies the equation explained below and determines the quotashould be scaled by a factor of 1.8. The WLQMD then multiplies thecandidate target quota amount by 1.8 to get a modified quota amount of 9Mb. It also multiplies the candidate target quota validity time by 1.8to get a modified quota validity time of 108 seconds. The WLQMD thenpasses the modified quota values to back to the FQA. In this example,the balance threshold QMD (BTQMD) is present. The BTQMD determines,based on the TBV calculated, that a balance threshold will be reached in60 seconds. Furthermore, in this example the BTQMD determines, based onthe ABV calculated, that the current activity will likely consume 30 Mbof quota in those same 60 seconds. Applying a configured decay strengthof 2, the BTQMD determines that it should limit the modified quotaamount to no more than 15 Mb and limit the modified quota validity timeto no more than 30 seconds. Since the candidate target quota amount is 5Mb, already smaller than the modified limit of 15 Mb, the BTQMD sets themodified quota amount to 5 Mb. The BTQMD also sets the modified quotavalidity time to 30 seconds as calculated above. The BTQMD then passesthe modified quota values back to the FQA. Once all the QMDs haveprovided modified quota values to the FQA, the FQA uses the modifiedvalues to derive final quota values. In various embodiments, the methodused to calculate the derived quota values involves mathematicallycombining the various modified quota values, applying weightings to eachQMD and combining the modified values with these weightings, or anyother reasonable method to derive a single set of quota values from themodified values. The FQA declares the derived quota values to be final,completes balance reservations and other tasks associated withfinalizing the quota authorized, and passes the final quota values tothe output interface which returns these values to the service provider.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of quota periods. In someembodiments, the quota periods comprise quota periods for connectivitydevices (e.g., connectivity device 102 of FIG. 1). In some embodiments,the quota periods comprise quota periods determined by a quotamanagement system (e.g., quota management system 108 of FIG. 1). In theexample shown, three quota sequences are shown. Quota sequence 400comprises a quota sequence associated with a first connectivity device,quota sequence 402 comprises a quota sequence associated with a secondconnectivity device, and quota sequence 404 comprises a quota sequenceassociated with a third connectivity device. Each quota sequencecomprises a set of quota periods (e.g., quota period 406). A quotaperiod signifies an amount of usage for accessing service via a serviceprovider allotted to the associated connectivity device by the quotamanagement system. In some embodiments, a quota period also signifies avalidity time for the amount of usage allotted, after which the usageallotment (quota) is no longer valid. In various embodiments, a quotaperiod comprises a time of voice access, an amount of data access, anamount of data access with a validity time, a number of text messages, anumber of text messages with a validity time, or any other appropriatequota period quantity. When a quota period expires due to the validitytime being reached or the allotted usage being fully used, the serviceprovider, on behalf of the associated connectivity device, reports theamount of actual usage and requests a new quota, which is determined bythe quota management system and provided to the connectivity device bythe service provider. In the example shown, quota sequence 400, quotasequence 402, and quota sequence 404 are associated with a singleaccount or a set of accounts that share an account balance (e.g., theassociated connectivity devices are part of a family account, are partof a business account, etc.). In some embodiments, an account balancehas an associated threshold. In some embodiments, a threshold comprisesa point in an account balance where an action should be taken. For anybalance threshold, there is a point in time where impacts of the cost ofall usage associated with the balance will cause the balance to exactlyequal the threshold value (e.g. threshold reaches time 408). In variousembodiments, a threshold action comprises disallowing service, changingthe quality of service, changing a charging rate, sending a message(e.g., indicating the account balance has crossed the threshold), or anyother appropriate action. In some embodiments, a quota period should notcross a threshold (e.g., so that the threshold action can take place atthe threshold value precisely). In some embodiments, a quota period cancross a threshold but the time or amount by which it crosses should beminimized (e.g., so that the threshold action can take place as close tothe threshold as is practical). In the example shown, quota periods areassigned (e.g., by the quota management system) so they get smaller asthe threshold is approached. In some embodiments, the total quota amountassigned among all connectivity devices associated with the same accountis limited in order to limit total account balance uncertainty (e.g.,when quota is assigned, an unknown amount of quota (and thereforeaccount balance) is going to be used by the connectivity device, up tothe total amount of quota; the total account balance uncertainty is thecost of the total amount of quota assigned to all devices associatedwith the account balance).

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process forproviding a quota amount. In some embodiments, the process of FIG. 5 isexecuted by a quota management system (e.g., quota management system 108of FIG. 1). In the example shown, in 500, a quota request for anactivity is received. For example, a quota request is received for auser to use a service provided by a service provider associated with aconnectivity device. In various embodiments, the activity comprises avoice connection, a low bandwidth data connection (e.g., reading email),a high bandwidth data connection (e.g., watching video), or any otherappropriate activity. In 502, operating parameter data is received. Forexample, operating parameter data is received associated with the userand/or the service provider. In various embodiments, operating parameterdata comprises one or more of the following: quota consumption velocitydata, account balance data, threshold data, reservation data, systemworkload data, or any other appropriate data. In 504, a quota value isdetermined. For example, a quota amount and/or a validity time aredetermined dynamically based at least in part on received operatingparameter data). In 506, the quota value is provided. For example, thequota value is provided to enable the connectivity device to perform theactivity (e.g., providing a quota amount and/or a validity time for aservice provider to authorize the connectivity device perform theactivity using one or more services provided by the service provider—forexample, data connectivity over a cellular network is provided to amobile phone for an amount of data over a period of time). In someembodiments, providing a quota amount comprises making a correspondingreservation on an account balance (e.g., on an account balance stored bythe quota management system or service provider).

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process fordetermining a quota value. In some embodiments, the process of FIG. 6 isused to implement 504 of FIG. 5. In the example shown, in 600 acandidate quota value is determined. For example, a minimum, target, andmaximum quota amounts are determined from configuration parametersdefined or configured in the quota management system. In someembodiments, a minimum, target, and maximum quota validity time for thecandidate quota are also determined from configuration parametersdefined or configured in the quota management system. The tentativequota amount is set to the target candidate quota amount and thetentative quota validity time is set to the target quota validity time.In 602, one or more quota modifications are determined. For example,input amounts are input to a process that adjusts (e.g., scales, uses anequation, uses a lookup table, etc.) the tentative target amounts andgenerates modified amounts. In some embodiments, input amounts arecandidate quota value(s). In some embodiments, input amounts are outputvalues (modified amounts) from a prior modification. In someembodiments, input amounts are candidate quota value(s) and outputvalues (modified amounts) from a prior modification. In 604, a finalquota value is determined. For example, the final quota is determinedbased on the candidate quota value(s) and the modification(s) to aninput quota value. In some embodiments, the final quota value isassembled based on one or more modifications to input value(s). In someembodiments, the final quota value is a final output where inputvalue(s) is/are modified by a number of modification determiners oneafter another in series to in the end produce a final quota output.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process for aquota modification determiner based on a rate at which quota isconsumed. In some embodiments, the process of FIG. 7 is used toimplement a quota modification of the one or more quota modifications of602 of FIG. 6. In the example shown, a quota rate quota modificationdeterminer (QRQMD) determines modifications to the tentative quotaamount and validity time based on the rate at which quota is beingconsumed by the activity being authorized (QR). In some embodiments,ideal values (IV) are defined or configured in the quota managementsystem for a minimum quota amount, a target quota amount, a maximumquota amount and target quota lifetime, or any combination thereof. Invarious embodiments, the target quota lifetime is expressed as theamount of quota expected to be consumed over a unit of time (e.g.megabytes/second) or as the expected time it will take to consume thetarget quota amount ideal value (e.g. 30 seconds). In variousembodiments, some or all of these ideal values are configurable per typeof activity, per network type, or per any other appropriate circumstancethat would typically affect the expected rate of quota consumption. Theoutput interface stores the final quota amount that is being authorizedand the exact time it is authorized before sending the final quotaamount and validity time to the service provider. This data isaccessible by the QRQMD. In 700, it is determined whether the requestfor quota is a first request for quota. In the event that the requestfor quota is the first request for quota, in 702 it is indicated that nomodifications to input values are to be made and the input values areprovided as output values. For example, during the initial authorizationrequest for an activity, the QRQMD receives the candidate quota andtentative quota values from the candidate quota determiner or the priorquota modification determiner (depends on which workflow and ordering).Because the rate of consumption is not known during the initial quotaauthorization, the QRQMD does not change the input values. For example,the initial quota determination the candidate quota determiner sets thetentative quota amount to the IV target quota amount and sets thetentative quota validity time to the IV target quota lifetime and theseare passed from the input to the output. In the event that the requestfor quota is not the first request for quota, in 704 the actual rate ofquota consumption is calculated. For example, the QRQMD receives thecandidate quota and tentative quota values from the candidate quotadeterminer or the prior quota modification determiner (depends on whichworkflow and ordering). The QRQMD also receives the actual used quotaamount in the same message or has access to this data stored within thequota management system. The QRQMD calculates the actual rate of quotaconsumption for the activity by dividing the actual quota amount used bythe time period that has elapsed since the previous quota was authorized(e.g. if 10 Mb was authorized 30 seconds ago, and 6 Mb of that quota wasactually used, then the actual consumption rate is 6 Mb over 30 secondsor 0.2 Mb/second). In some embodiments, the QRQMD calculates the actualrate of quota consumption using a weighted average of the consumptionrates from the past N authorizations rather than just the lastauthorization, where N may be any integer larger than 1. In variousembodiments, the weighting decays the farther back in time theauthorization takes place, the weighting stays level, the steps lowerthe farther back in time the authorization takes place, or any otherappropriate weighting. In 706, a new target quota amount is determined.For example, the QRQMD multiplies the actual quota consumption rate bythe input validity time (e.g., the IV target quota validity time) todetermine a new target quota amount (e.g., if actual consumption rate is0.2 Mb/second and the input validity time is 30 seconds, new targetquota amount would be 6 Mb). In 708, it is determined whether the newtarget quota is within the quota limits. In the event that the newtarget quota is not within the quota limits, in 710 the output quotaamount is set to the quota limit value that was exceeded by the newtarget and control passes to 714. For example, in the event that the newtarget quota amount is larger than the IV maximum quota amount or thecandidate maximum quota amount, the new target quota amount is set tothe appropriate maximum quota amount. Or, for example, in the event thatthe new target quota amount is smaller than the IV minimum quota amountor the candidate minimum quota amount, the new target quota amount isset to the appropriate minimum quota amount. In 712, the output quotaamount is set to the new target and control passes to 714. In 714, a newtarget validity time is determined. For example, the input validity timeis scaled similar to the quota amount. In 716, it is determined whetherthe new target validity time within limits. In the event that the newtarget validity time is not within limits, then in 718 the outputvalidity time is set to the validity time limit value exceeded by thenew target validity time and control passes to 722. In the event thatthe new target validity is within limits, then in 720 the outputvalidity time is set to the new target validity time and control passesto 722. In 722, the modified quota values are provided, and the processends.

In some embodiments, the process for a frequency of reauthorizationrequests quota modification determiner (RRQMD) is similar to a QRQMDexcept that the actual rate of reauthorization requests is calculated(e.g., as actual rate of quota consumption is calculated in 704 of FIG.7).

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process for aquota modification determiner based on a system workload. In someembodiments, the process of FIG. 8 is used to implement a quotamodification of the one or more quota modifications of 602 of FIG. 6. Insome embodiments, a workload quota modification determiner (WLQMD)determines modifications to the input quota amount and validity timebased on a measurement of the workload of the quota management system.In various embodiments, the workload of the quota management systemcomprises one or more of the following: a measurement of CPUutilization, network utilization, storage system utilization, memoryutilization, the rate of requests being received by the system, thelatency of responses to requests being received by the system, or anyother method commonly used to determine the workload of a system. Insome embodiments, the workload of the system is defined as a numberbetween 0 and 100, with the actual measured workload being normalizedinto this range. In some embodiments, the number of requests beingreceived per second is the metric measured to calculate the workload,and a rate of requests (e.g. 5000/second) is defined as a workload of100 and a workload ratio is calculated by dividing 100 by this rate ofrequests (in this example, 100/5000=0.02). The workload value is thencalculated by multiplying the measured rate of requests by this ratio(e.g. a request rate of 3000/second would equal a workload value of 60).In some embodiments, an ideal value is defined or configured in thequota management system for a target workload value. In someembodiments, the WLQMD utilizes an exponential response curve equationto calculate a modification ratio to the input quota amount and validitytime. In some embodiments, a response strength value (RS) is defined orconfigured in the system, representing the exponent to be used in theequation. The response strength may be any integer 1 or larger (e.g. 1,2, 4, 11), with a larger response strength causing a steeper responsecurve and therefore a stronger modification ratio when the measuredworkload exceeds the IV target workload.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, in 800 a current workload is calculated.For example, during an authorization request for an activity, the WLQMDreceives the candidate quota and input quota values from the candidatequota determiner or the prior quota modification determiner (depends onwhich workflow and ordering). The WLQMD then calculates the currentworkload of the system (CWL)—in our example this means examining avariable in the system that tracks how many requests per second arebeing received (e.g. 3000) and multiplying it by the workload ratio(e.g. CWL=3000×0.02=60). In 802, it is determined whether the currentworkload is less than or equal to a target workload. For example, theWLQMD then compares the CWL to the ideal value target workload (TWL). Inthe event that the current workload is less than or equal to the targetworkload, then in 804 the output quota values are set to the input quotavalues. For example, in the event that the CWL is less than or equal tothe TWL, the WLQMD does not modify the input quota amount or validitytime and simply copies the input values to the output values. In theevent that the current work load is greater than the target workload,then in 806 a modification ratio is calculated. For example, in theevent that the CWL is greater than the TWL, then the WLQMD uses thisequation to calculate a modification ratio (MR):MR=1+((((CWL−TWL)/10){circumflex over ( )}RS)/10). In variousembodiments, other equations may be used to calculate the MR based onthe difference between CWL and TWL. In 808, a new target quota amount isdetermined. For example, the new target quota is determined bymulitiplying the input quota amount by MR. In 814, it is determinedwhether the new target is greater than a maximum quota. In the eventthat the new quota amount is greater than maximum quota, in 816 theoutput quota amount is set equal to the maximum quota (e.g., candidatemaximum quota amount) and control passes to 820. In the event that thenew target is not greater than maximum quota, the output quota amount isset to the new target. In 820, a new target validity time is determined.For example, the input validity time is multiplied by MR. In 822, it isdetermined whether the new target validity time is greater than themaximum. In the event that the new target validity time is greater thanthe maximum, in 824 the output validity time is set to the maximum andcontrol passes to 828. In the event that the new target validity time isnot greater than the maximum, the output validity time is set to newtarget validity time and control passes to 828. In 828, the modifiedoutput quota values are provided. For example, the output quota amountand the output validity time are provided as the output of the quotamanagement system.

In some embodiments, a workload quota modification determiner (WLQMD)may utilize a lookup table to determine a quota modification based onthe estimated or measured workload value. The lookup table in theexample contains the following data: For example:

Workload Value Quota scaling coefficient  0-50 1.0 50-60 1.2 60-70 1.570-80 2.0 80-85 4.0 85-90 6.0 90-95 8.0  95-100 10.0The WLQMD locates the row in the LT that is applicable based on thecurrent workload value. The WLQMD then multiplies the input quota amountand input validity time by the scaling coefficient in that row of theLT. The WLQMD then compares the resulting quota amount and validity timeto an minimum or maximum values that are configured or in the candidatequota, and limits its modifications to any of these minimums or maximumsas appropriate.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process for aquota modification determiner based on a rate at which a balance isbeing impacted as quota is consumed by the activity being authorized. Insome embodiments, the process of FIG. 9 is used to implement a quotamodification of the one or more quota modifications of 602 of FIG. 6. Insome embodiments, a balance rate quota modification determiner (BRQMD)determines modifications to the input quota amount and validity timebased on the rate at which a balance is being impacted as quota isconsumed by the activity being authorized. In some embodiments, an idealvalue maximum reservation amount (IVMRA) is defined or configured in thesystem. In some embodiments, an ideal value maximum reservation time(IVMRT) is defined or configured in the system. In various embodiments,IVMRA and IVMRT values may be defined or configured for each balance orclass of balance, and different values may be defined or configured pertype of activity, per network type, per commercial offer, or per anyother appropriate circumstance that would typically affect the expectedrate of a balance being impacted. In the example shown, in 900 it isdetermined whether a balance reservation exceeds an ideal value maximumreservation amount. For example, the BRQMD receives an ideal valuemaximum reservation amount (IVMRA), calculates a balance reservationamount (BR), and determines whether BR is greater than IVMRA. During anauthorization request for an activity, the BRQMD receives the candidatequota and input quota values from the candidate quota determiner or theprior quota modification determiner (depends on which workflow andordering). The BRQMD executes the rating logic using the tariff plandetails that apply to that activity and tracks what balance reservationsare necessary based on authorizing the tentative quota amount. In 902,in the event that the balance reservation does not exceed the idealmaximum reservation amount, no modification to input quota amount isindicated and the output quota amount is set to the input quota amount,and control passes to 912. For example, authorizing the input quotaamount does not require any balance reservations that exceed theassociated IVMRA, and so the BRQMD does not modify the input quotaamount. In the event that a balance reservation does exceed the idealmaximum reservation amount, in 904 a tentative quota amount iscalculated that has the reservation amount equal the ideal maximumreservation amount. For example, in the event that authorizing the inputquota amount does require a balance reservation that would exceed theassociated IVMRA, the BRQMD calculates how much quota can be authorizedsuch that the balance reservation equals the IVMRA rather than exceedsit. In 906, it is determined whether the tentative quota amount islarger than the candidate minimum quota amount. In the event that thetentative quota amount is larger than the candidate amount, then in 908the output quota amount is set to the tentative quota and control passesto 912. In the event that the tentative quota is not larger than thecandidate quota minimum amount, then in 910 the output quota is set tothe candidate quota minimum amount and control passes to 912. In 912, itis determined whether the input validity time is greater than the idealvalue maximum reservation time. In the event that the input validitytime is greater than the ideal value maximum reservation time, then in914 the output validity time is set to the ideal value maximumreservation time and control passes to 920. In the event that the inputvalidity time is not greater than the ideal value maximum reservationtime, then in 916 the output validity time is set to the input validitytime and control passes to 920. For example, the BRQMD compares theinput quota validity time to the associated IVMRT values for anybalances that require reservations to authorize the quota. If any of theIVMRT values are smaller than the input quota validity time, the outputquota validity time is set to this smaller value, otherwise the outputvalidity time is set to the input validity time. In 920, the modifiedoutput quota values are provided. For example, the output quota amountand the output validity time are provided as the output of the quotamanagement system.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process for aquota modification determiner based on a rate at which a shared balanceis being impacted as quota is consumed by all the activities beingauthorized against the shared balance. In some embodiments, the processof FIG. 10 is used to implement a quota modification of the one or morequota modifications of 602 of FIG. 6. In some embodiments, a sharedbalance quota modification determiner (BSQMD) determines modificationsto the input quota amount and validity time based on the rate at which ashared balance is being impacted as quota is consumed by all theactivities being authorized against the shared balance. In someembodiments, an ideal value maximum shared reservation amount (IVMSRA)is defined or configured in the system. In various embodiments, IVMSRAvalues are defined or configured for each balance or class of balance.In the example shown, in 1000 total reservations for a shared balanceare calculated. For example, during an authorization request for anactivity, the BSQMD receives the candidate quota and input quota valuesfrom the candidate quota determiner or the prior quota modificationdeterminer (depends on which workflow and ordering). The BSQMD executesthe rating logic using the tariff plan details that apply to thatactivity and tracks what balance reservations are necessary based onauthorizing the input quota amount. The BSQMD then adds together thesecalculated reservation amounts and any existing reservations on the samebalances from other activities that are sharing the balances. In 1002,it is determined whether total reservations on any shared balance exceedan ideal value maximum shared reservation amount. In the event that nototal reservations exceed the associated ideal value maximum sharedreservation amount, then in 1004 no modification to input values isindicated and output values are set to input values and control passesto 1020. For example, if authorizing the input quota amount does notrequire any aggregate balance reservations that exceed the associatedIVMSRA, the BSQMD does not modify the input quota amount or validitytime. In the event that a total reservations exceeds the associatedideal value maximum shared reservation amount, then in 1006 a tentativequota amount is calculated so that the total reservation equals theideal value maximum shared reservation amount and control passes to1008. For example, in the event that authorizing the input quota amountdoes require an aggregate balance reservation that would exceed theassociated IVMSRA, the BSQMD calculates how much quota can be authorizedsuch that the aggregate balance reservation equals the IVMSRA ratherthan exceeds it. In 1008, it is determined whether the tentative quotais larger than the candidate minimum quota amount. In the event that thetentative quota is not larger than the candidate minimum quota amount,then in 1010 the output quota amount is set to the candidate minimumquota amount and control passes to 1020. In the event that the tentativequota is larger than the candidate minimum quota amount, then in 1012the output quota amount is set to the tentative quota amount and controlpasses to 1020. In 1020 the modified output quota values are provided.For example, the output quota amount and the output validity time areprovided as the output of the quota management system.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process for aquota modification determiner based on a balance-threshold distance. Insome embodiments, the process of FIG. 11 is used to implement a quotamodification of the one or more quota modifications of 602 of FIG. 6. Insome embodiments, a balance-threshold distance quota modificationdeterminer (BTQMD) determines proposed or actual quota modificationsbased at least in part on the estimation or actual measurement of thedistance between a current balance value and a defined or configuredthreshold balance value for the balance (e.g., a balance-thresholddistance). In some embodiments, the BTQMD keeps track of the value of abalance at the time a quota is calculated, then calculates an estimatedtotal rate of change for the balance by subtracting the prior balancevalue from the current balance value and dividing the result by theamount of time elapsed since the prior value was measured (total balancevelocity or TBV) (e.g., if a prior quota calculation tracked that thebalance value was 30 at time T, and the current balance value is 10 andthe current time is T+10 seconds, then the TBV is (10−30)/10=(−2) persecond). In various embodiments, the TBV may be calculated using onlybalance data points collected for the activity being authorized, for allactivities being authorized for a single connectivity device, for allactivities across all connectivity devices that are using the balancefor authorization, or any combination thereof. In various embodiments,the TBV is calculated using only the current balance data and the priorbalance data, or it is calculated using a weighted average of the last Nbalance data measurements, using any integer larger than 1 for N andusing any common weighting algorithm, or in any other appropriatemanner. In various embodiments, the TBV is calculated using any otherapplicable method for accurately estimating the total rate of change tothe balance. In some embodiments, the BTQMD also calculates an estimatedrate of change for a balance based only on the charges for that activity(ABV). In some embodiments, the usage rating module that calculates theactual balance impacts for actual quota used and updates the accountbalances with these impacts passes to the BTQMD the total set of balanceimpacts for the actual quota used and the time period over which thatusage occurred. The BTQMD then divides the amount of each balance impactby the time period to calculate the rate of balance impact for aspecific activity (ABV) (e.g. if the total balance impact from theactual usage was (−20) and the interval of the usage was 10 seconds,then the ABV is (−20)/10=(−2) per second). In various embodiments, theABV is calculated using only the prior balance impact data, or it iscalculated using a weighted average of the last N balance impact datameasurements, using any integer larger than 1 for N and using any commonweighting algorithm, or any other appropriate method for accuratelyestimating the rate of change to the balance caused by a specificactivity. In the example shown, in 1100 it is determined whether therequest for quota is a first request for quota. In the event that it isa first request for quota, in 702 an activity balance velocity isassigned. For example, during the initial authorization request for anactivity, there is no prior balance impact data for the activity so theBTQMD cannot calculate the ABV as above, so the BTQMD assigns a value tothe ABV. In various embodiments, a defined or configured initial valueis assigned to ABV, system-wide statistics are examined and an estimatedinitial value for ABV is derived, or it any other reasonable initialvalue is assigned to ABV. In the event that the request for quota is notthe first request for quota, then in 1104, an activity balance velocityis calculated. For example, during an authorization request for anactivity, the BTQMD receives the candidate quota and input quota valuesfrom the candidate quota determiner or the prior quota modificationdeterminer (depends on which workflow and ordering). The BTQMD executesthe rating logic using the tariff plan details that apply to thatactivity to determine what balance reservations are necessary based onauthorizing the input quota amount. For each balance requiring areservation the quota amount that is associated with that balance ismultiplied by the quota consumption rate (available as described above)then the balance reservation amount is divided by this product tocalculate the ABV. In 1106, a total balance velocity, a time tothreshold, a fair balance amount, and a fair quota amount are calculatedfor each balance that requires a reservation. For example, the BTQMDcalculates an estimated time-to-threshold for the balance by taking thedifference between the current balance value and the next defined orconfigured threshold and dividing it by the TBV (e.g., if currentbalance is 20 and next threshold is 10 and TBV is (−2)/second, then thetime-to-threshold (TTT) is (10−20)/(−2)=5 seconds). The BTQMD thenmultiplies the ABV by the TTT to calculate how much of a balance shouldbe allocated to this activity such that the authorized quota will beconsumed just as the balance reaches the defined or configuredthreshold—the “fair balance amount”. The BTQMD then uses the ratinglogic and applicable tariff plans to calculate how much quota can beauthorized by reserving the fair balance amount—the “fair quota amount”.In 1108, it is determined whether the fair quota amount is greater thanor equal to the input quota amount. In the event that the fair quotaamount is greater than or equal to the input quota amount, then in 1110the output quota amount is set to the input quota amount and controlpasses to 1118. For example, in the event that the fair quota amount isgreater than or equal to the input quota amount, the BTQMD does notmodify the input quota amount. In the event that the fair quota amountis not greater than nor equal to the input quota amount, then in 1112 itis determined whether the fair quota amount is greater than thecandidate minimum quota amount. In the event that the fair quota amountis greater than candidate minimum quota amount, then in 1114 the outputquota amount is set to the fair quota amount and control passes to 1118.In the event that the fair quota amount is not greater than candidateminimum quota amount, then in 1116 the output quota amount is set to thecandidate minimum quota amount and control passes to 1118. For example,in the event that the fair quota amount is less than the input quotaamount, the BTQMD sets the output quota amount to the greater of thefair quota amount and the candidate minimum quota amount. In 1118, it isdetermined whether the time to threshold is smaller than the inputvalidity time. In the event that the time to threshold is smaller thanthe input validity time, then in 1120, the output validity time is setto the time to threshold and control passes to 1124. In the event thatthe time to threshold is not smaller than the input validity time, thenin 1122, the output validity time is set to the input validity time andcontrol passes to 1124. In 1124, the modified quota values are provided.For example, the output quota amount and the output validity time areprovided as the output of the quota management system.

In some embodiments, the BTQMD accommodates the fact that TBV and ABVare estimated values and the actual total rate of change and activityrate of change for a balance may constantly change based on manyfactors, including how many activities are sharing the balance, thespeed of the networks being used, the congestion level of the networksbeing used, and any other factor that could impact the actual rate ofquota consumption by the activities that are being authorized againstthe balance. In some embodiments, a geometric decay curve equation isused to provide a “cushion” against inaccuracies or sudden changes inthe ABV, TBV, or TTT. A decay strength coefficient is defined orconfigured in the system. In various embodiments, a decay strengthcoefficient (DSC) is any integer or real number greater than 1. Insteadof multiplying the ABV by the TTT to calculate the fair balance amountas above, the BTQMD instead multiplies the ABV by TTT/DSC to calculatethe fair balance amount. This reduces the fair balance amount by afactor of DSC from the process in FIG. 11. This makes it more likelythat the calculated fair quota amount is less than the input quotaamount and that the input quota amount is thus adjusted downward. Inaddition, in the event that the input quota amount is adjusted downwardto the fair quota amount, the input validity time is set to TTT/DSC inthe event that the value TTT/DSC is smaller than the input validitytime.

Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detailfor purposes of clarity of understanding, the invention is not limitedto the details provided. There are many alternative ways of implementingthe invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and notrestrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for determining a quota, comprising; aninput interface configured to: receiving a current workload; and aprocessor configured to: determine whether the current workload lessthan or equal to target workload; and in response to the currentworkload being less than or equal to target workload: indicate nomodification to input values; set output values to input values; providethe output values.
 2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured to, in response to the current workload not beingless than or equal to target workload, calculate a modification ratio.3. A system as in claim 2, wherein the processor is further configuredto determine a new target amount.
 4. A system as in claim 3, wherein theprocessor is further configured to determine whether there is a newtarget greater than a maximum quota.
 5. A system as in claim 4, whereinthe processor is further configured to, in response to the new targetbeing greater than the maximum quota, set an output quota amount to themaximum quota.
 6. A system as in claim 4, wherein the processor isfurther configured to, in response to the new target not being greaterthan the maximum quota, set the output quota to the new target amount.7. A system as in claim 6, wherein the processor is further configuredto determine a new target validity time.
 8. A system as in claim 7,wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the newtarget validity time is greater than a maximum.
 9. A system as in claim8, wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to thenew target validity time being greater than the maximum, set an outputvalidity time to the maximum and provide the output validity time.
 10. Asystem as in claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to, inresponse to the new target validity time not being greater than themaximum, set an output validity time to the new target validity time andprovide the output validity time.
 11. A method for determining a quota,comprising; receiving a current workload; and determining, using aprocessor, whether the current workload less than or equal to targetworkload; and in response to the current workload being less than orequal to target workload: indicating no modification to input values;setting output values to input values; providing the output values. 12.A method as in claim 11, wherein in response to the current workload notbeing less than or equal to target workload, calculating a modificationratio.
 13. A method as in claim 12, wherein determining a new targetamount.
 14. A method as in claim 13, wherein determining whether thereis a new target greater than a maximum quota.
 15. A method as in claim14, wherein in response to the new target being greater than the maximumquota, setting an output quota amount to the maximum quota.
 16. A methodas in claim 14, wherein in response to the new target not being greaterthan the maximum quota, setting the output quota to the new targetamount.
 17. A method as in claim 16, wherein determining a new targetvalidity time.
 18. A method as in claim 17, wherein determining whetherthe new target validity time is greater than a maximum.
 19. A method asin claim 18, wherein in response to the new target validity time beinggreater than the maximum, setting an output validity time to the maximumand provide the output validity time.
 20. A method as in claim 18,wherein in response to the new target validity time not being greaterthan the maximum, setting an output validity time to the new targetvalidity time and provide the output validity time.
 21. A computerprogram product for determining a quota, the computer program productbeing embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium andcomprising computer instructions for: receiving a current workload; anddetermining, using a processor, whether the current workload less thanor equal to target workload; and in response to the current workloadbeing less than or equal to target workload: indicating no modificationto input values; setting output values to input values; providing theoutput values.